Spacek named assistant coach

Also Weissmann joins Ruzicka’s staff

Back in international hockey: After joining the IIHF Athletes Committee, Jaroslav Spacek was also named assistant coach to Vladimir Ruzicka on the Czech national team. Photo: Thomas Oswald

PRAGUE – The Czech Ice Hockey Association has named the coaching staff for the 2014 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Minsk at an Executive Board meeting. Vladimir Ruzicka, who returns as head coach after a three-year absence replacing Alois Hadamczik, will be joined by assistant coaches Ondrej Weissmann and Jaroslav Spacek.

Weissmann’s nomination doesn’t come as a surprise. He was already Ruzicka’s assistant at several World Championships and Olympics between 2003 and 2010 and also at Slavia Prague during the last two years.

For Spacek, however, it will be a comeback at the World Championship after having played many international events for his country and 13 years in the NHL. Spacek has already gained experience as an assistant coach with his former club Skoda Plzen and will now double up to assist Ruzicka at the World Championship. Spacek is also a member of the IIHF Athletes Committee.

Another former national team player joining the coaching staff is Martin Prusek, who was named goaltending coach. He has already held this position with the U17 national team.